Distracted drivers are plaguing the roadways of Orlando. If you’ve driven on I-4, Colonial, or even SR-436, you have probably seen it first hand. Whether it is someone on the phone, texting, or even eating or talking with passengers in the car, drivers aren’t able to keep their eyes on the road, weaving, and just not paying enough attention while driving a several ton vehicle.
In fact, a recent report by EverQuote, ranks Florida as the second worst state with the number of drivers admitting to operating their vehicle while distracted. With over ninety percent of drivers confessing to talking on the phone while driving.
Distracted driving is more than just texting
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported distracted driving was the cause of nearly fifty thousand car crashes just in 2016. Resulting in over 200 wrongful deaths and almost 4,000 personal injuries. “Even a focused driver going 50 mph will travel nearly the length of a football field before coming to a complete stop. When a driver is not focused on the road, it limits their ability to come to a stop and avoid a crash.”
While we all may think we are safe drivers, you would be surprised how often most of us read a text or answer the phone while driving a vehicle.
On average it takes 5 seconds to read or send a text. Though it doesn’t sound long, a driver going 45 mph will travel over 300 feet before properly putting their eyes back on the road. That’s definitely long enough for a car accident to happen!
Despite all this information, Florida remains one of the few states that has not made the dangerous activity of texting while driving a primary traffic offense. “When you drive distracted, you are putting the lives of everyone in your car, and on the road around you, in danger,” said Colonel Gene S. Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Driving distracted, even for a moment, can lead to a catastrophe. FHP wants to remind drivers to take the proper steps to eliminate these types of crashes and for everyone to be more focused on driving.”
If you or a loved one have been involved in an auto accident, you may be wondering if you need to contact an Orlando attorney. In the case of distracted driving the liable party’s insurance company may offer you a settlement shortly after the crash. Be advised, insurance companies are in the business of settling for as little as possible. Not consulting with an attorney can result in significant uncompensated losses.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you can be entitled to significant compensation which is why you should contact the experienced law office of attorney James P. Kelley as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation.